Sunday, 23 June 2013

Brady welcomes the installation of Dog Litter Bins in the Ballywaltrim Recreation Park

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has welcomed the installation of anumber of dog litter bins in the 23 acre Ballywaltrim Recreation Parkin Bray. Users of the park have been campaigning for Bray Town Councilto tackle the serious problem of dog litter in the area. The issue hasin the past resulted in a child being hospitilsed and football matchesbeing abandoned, it has become a public safety issue.

Cllr Brady said "I welcome the installation of the dog litter bins inthe Ballywaltrim Recreation Park, signs are due to be erected in thecoming days. The bins were installed recently and have received abroad welcome from users of the park. The park is widely used byGaelic teams, soccer teams, walkers and joggers. However the issue ofirresponsible dog owners not picking up dog waste has become a veryserious problem which poses a serious threat to all users".Brady continued "The council has come under a lot of pressure from theBallywaltrim Users Group and many of the sporting clubs that use thepark, who had been calling on them to address the problem. Dog fecesposes a serious health risk which may contain parvovirus, whipworms,hookworms, roundworms, threadworms, campylobacteriosis, giardia, andcoccidia. If left unattended, these parasites will contaminate thewater, soil, and can even cause infection in both pets and humans,especially children. The microscopic Hookworm larvae can be passed toanother pet or person directly through the skin or by accidentalingestion as can other bacteria. There is also the threat of beinginfected by toxoplasmosis which can result in blindness".

Cllr Brady concluded "Whilst I welcome the action Bray Town Council istaking to tackle the problem in the Ballywaltrim area of the town. Theproblem is a much bigger one which affects many other areas.Installing bins for dog owners to dispose waste in is part of thesolution; however education is another key thing that needs to happen.Unfortunately there are many irresponsible dog owners who must beeducated so that they are made aware of the risks they are puttingother members of the community under". Ends